Toyota review more than a million cars in the United States

The hard times never end for Toyota, Akio Toyota may be looking forward to be completed this year, as has been the worst for the whole story of his car dealership. Toyota's problem is that 1.13 million vehicles must be reviewed by a problem in their engine 1ZZ-FE 1.8 liters mounted models from 2005 to 2008 Corolla and Matrix.

Apparently the big problem would be that the engine could stall due to a failure in the welds of a circuit used in the engine control module, which could lead to witness the lighting of warning, abrupt changes, or refusal to boot, and also that it could undo all the driving so difficult today.

To make matters worse luck and new Toyota car models have been three minor accidents, but related to this defect, for now the only recall has made the United States, but may be extended, as might happen in cars like the Avenis and Lotus Elise, which has the same engine.

When leasing a car is better than buying

I would like to start this article with a famous quote from oil baron Paul Getty "if it appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, lease it". Many would say that is money management 101 or simply think it is common sense. So why buy a new car when you can lease it.

Mr. Getty's saying is a perfect fit for fleet managers and business owners alike who are building or renewing their fleets. In this article I'll point out key benefits to why leasing can be a real money saver from a business perspective.

When you buy a new car, be it privately or for a business, the minute you drive it off the forecourt it starts to depreciate, in other words you are loosing money the moment you drive your new car out of the garage you bought it from. This brings another subject into play, car depreciation, but that is content for another article.

Even though I won't discuss car depreciation in detail here, that is something you have to take for granted when leasing or contract hiring a car or a whole fleet. I recommend German cars as they depreciate far less than other brands. More on this later.

First of all let us understand the concepts of car leasing. The concepts of leasing a car are fairly simply, yet many business owners and fleet managers are often sceptical about it. First of all car leasing is not renting as many people mistakenly believe.

That said, leasing is a financial method, similar to a loan. When you lease a car you will be paying a set amount a month to purchase a new vehicle, but this vehicle won't be yours. At this point you might be asking yourself, what is the point in all this, paying for something that won't be mine?

If you asked yourself this question, I have to agree with you to a certain extent, but there other benefits that make car leasing more attractive than buying a new car. First, monthly payments are on average 30% to 60% cheaper than the ordinary car loan and there isn't the need for a huge upfront deposit. In general the majority of car leasing companies will only ask for a deposit of 3 monthly payments.

Second, you can renew your fleet every 2 to 4 years depending on your leasing contract. Not to mention that road taxes are usually included in the lease price and as they are brand new vehicles, warranty covers most of the maintenance costs.

Third, as afore mentioned maintenance costs are little to none specially because when you lease you will always have new car in hand and you do not need to worry about it breaking down unless it is a manufacturers problem. In those cases maintenance is also free of charge.

Fourth, no used car hassles, Lease and eliminate the headaches of trying to sell used cars. With leasing you simply return it to the leasing company and choose a new one. Imagine renewing your whole fleet of vehicles by simply ringing your leasing company and scheduling it, no hassles, no time off work hopping from dealer to dealer after the best deals.

As you can see there are countless benefits that make car leasing better than buying from a business standpoint. A recent study revealed that 20% to 25% of all new cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans are leased. In the premium segment numbers are even higher, approximately 75% of luxury cars purchased in the UK are leased.

Determining the lease price of a car

To determine the lease price of a given car, a series of factors are to be considered. First we have the initial purchase price, it is brand new, millage and condition are disregarded, if it is a used car these three factors are brought into the equation.

But the two most important factors that will influence your monthly payments are residual value and depreciation. Residual value is an estimate of the value a given vehicle will have when it reaches the end of the lease.

As afore mentioned depreciation has a great influence in the final price of your monthly payments. In short, it refers to the reduction in the car's value caused by age. Brand and model are closely related to depreciation, as some brand depreciate less than others.

Reason why I recommend German cars is their depreciation factor is way better than other brands like some Asian brands like KIA and Hyundai. For instance, you can lease an Audi for less than £240 a month, way less than what you will pay a loan on the same car.
(ArticlesBase SC #3108552)

Top 5 ways to modify your car

Having bought your new (or not so new) car, it's time to start thinking about adding a few modifications. I've put together a list of my favourite car modifications to give you a bit of inspiration.

1.

Window Tint

Now I'm not just putting window tint at the top of the list because we're the leading UK's supplier of pre cut car window tint kits (end shameless plug), I do truly believe that it is one of the cheapest and best ways to completely transform your car. Window tint looks good on any car, from a Fiesta to a Ferrari, and you can buy DIY tint kits for around £30. Make your car really stand out by going for a siver mirrored or coloured tint like the blue tint below.



2.

Alloy wheels

Have you ever seen a decent modified car running on standard steel wheels? No, me neither, and that's why I've put alloy wheels 2nd in our list. You're going to have to cut down on treats for the girlfriend for a few months though as alloy wheels (and the tyres you'll need on them) don't come cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from around £300 for a basic set with tyress. If you can't quite afford that, car wheel trims are a decent alternative and only a fraction of the price.



3.

Exhaust

You've got your car looking all nice, but you can't have it sounding like a shopping trolley. So next on our list of top modifications is a new exhaust. These range from just a back-box to give your car a bit of a growl, to a complete exhaust system to increase performance and give your car that sporty sound. Prices for exhaust back-boxes start at around £50.



4.

Lexus lights

It seemed at one point a few years ago, that every other car you passed had a set of Lexus lights fitted, looking pretty tacky in some cases to be fair. Together with other modifications I think they can definitely look nice, I personally prefer the Lexus lights with a darker backing (see image below) rather than the silver backed lights with looked a bit stuck on. Something else you could try if you don't want to fork out on a new set of lights is some tail light tinting spray; you'll definitely get a more unique look.



5.

Painted brake callipers

I drive a Skoda Octavia VRS, and one of the things I still like most about it is its green brake callipers (sad I know). This will only work if you've got a set of wide spoke alloys, but it will give your car that definite sporty look. Brake calliper paint is available as either a spray can or a pot of paint. You'll probably need to take your wheels off to apply it.


(ArticlesBase SC #3111715)

I put a 1000 hp Twin-Turbo Ferrari Enzo

Make some modification to a Ferrari is almost a sin for all those true lovers of the Italian brand, but there is a very challenging person which not only made small modifications to your Ferrari, but I play the 6-liter V12 to atmospheric Turbocharging bending and thus reach 1,000 hp.

Thanks to this madness because it has become one of the world's fastest Ferraris, this car could mark an anthology speed record at Bonneville Speed Week.
You may think that this person is the worst, only to change his Ferrari to win careers, for this beautiful Italian model was not the best when it left the factory.

This is because the Twin Turbo Ferrari Enzo that we now see in his past life was destroyed by an accident that led to its owner more than four years in a rally in Utah, and even now is not the best in a matter of design and color we are pleased that at least alive.

Now the owner is determined to beat the Enzo in series, thus overcoming a 350 km / h which can have the original Ferrari. That will be a battle that we lose no doubt.

2011 Infiniti M35h

The 2011 Infiniti M35h also called the 'driver's hybrid' by the Japanese automaker, will hit the European market next year, and some of the steering and braking technologies on it are world's firsts.

The 2011 Infiniti M35h uses a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 68 PS (50 kW) electric motor for propulsion while power is put to the ground via a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately the automaker did not specify any performance figures for its 2011 Infiniti M35h, but it did mention that this will be their most fuel efficient model in the M Line line-up, with the lowest CO2 footprint.

The steering on the 2011 Infiniti M35h uses an electro-hydraulic system with 'on-demand' assistance while the brakes (called the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake) are oriented at both performance as well as low CO2 emissions.

Extensive details regarding these two innovations are available in the press release below the jump, and Inifiniti said it will sell the M35h on all of their 34 world markets.

The 2011 Infiniti M35h price will get announced as the on-sale date approaches.

Inifiniti press release :

ROLLE, Switzerland (August 13, 2010) – The “driver’s hybrid” from Infiniti, the M35h, will introduce world-first steering and braking technologies when it goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011. The debut systems have been designed to deliver both environmental benefits and enhanced driving feel, reinforcing strengths already central to the Infiniti M35h with its innovative one motor/two clutch system.

Like the drivetrain, which marries a charismatic V6 petrol engine with 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the 7-speed automatic transmission, simplicity was a key tenet in the development of the steering and brakes of the high performance luxury sedan.

The steering of the Infiniti M35h is an electro-hydraulic system with“on-demand” assistance. It offers the advantages of both types of steering – the natural and smooth feel of hydraulic power steering and the improved fuel efficiency of an electric system – while the motor cuts in only when the wheel is turned, further boosting efficiency. The system is smaller than traditional power steering set-ups, a feat achieved by integrating multiple parts.

The brakes are similarly designed primarily to suit sports sedan buyers’ needs, but at the same time contributing to the lower carbon footprint of the M35h, low CO2 champion of Infiniti’s all-new M Line sedan line-up.

The engineers looked to the hybrid system itself for the solution. What they came up with – a way to use the vehicle’s electric drive motorto operate the brake cylinders – represents another world-first innovation for the Japanese brand.

The system is called Electric Driven Intelligent Brake. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, the necessary braking force is maintained while the hydraulic pressure of the friction brake is controlled to help maximize the energy regeneration of the hybrid motor.Because of its simple structure, in which the motor directly operates the brake cylinders, the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system has the potential to be a key part of all future Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid vehicles.

The simplicity of these elegant mechanical solutions, with their emphasis on more compactness, lighter weight and fewer parts, is made possible by advanced computerized control.

Another benefit of both the new steering and braking systems is that they work with the innovative drivetrain to enhance the driving experience rather than dilute it in the manner of some hybrid vehicles. Designed to be fast and responsive with a strong sporting bias to the rear-wheel drive handling, the Infiniti M35h aims to deliver an exhilarating drive in all situations.

Central to this is its one motor/two clutch system. The first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor, which is embedded within the automatic transmission. Theelectronically controlled clutch allows the full decoupling of the V6 when the car is in electric drive and power regeneration modes. Decoupling the V6 reduces mechanical drag and boosts the efficiency of the electric motor.

Aided by an exceptionally fast charge/discharge response from the lithium-ion battery pack, the result is a hybrid that’s electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids.

Yet when the driver demands it the Infiniti M35h car models responds like a truehigh performance machine, offering the linear acceleration and unsullied rear-drive handling of a true Infiniti ­– complete with all the charisma of one of the great V6 petrol engines. Like the 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission that blips the throttle on downchanges, the new braking and steering technologies are integral to the M35h’s positioning as the hybrid to please the most demanding of drivers.

Infiniti’s first hybrid, the M35h is the low CO2 star of the all-new M Line which also includes petrol and diesel models and which is the first M ever to be sold in all of Infiniti’s 34 world markets.

Among the Infiniti M’s many other claims to fame are the world-first Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), state-of-the-art Forest Air climate control and Active Noise Control, while comfort and luxury are taken care of with double-piston dampers and the availability of semi-aniline leather in the spacious cabin.

M35h sales start in spring 2011 car models, depending on market.

Get free online car insurance quotes to save money

If you have a car, then you should insure it to protect yourself from damages that might be caused as a result of an accident. You can buy car insurance from various sources. For buying a good policy, it’s important that you gather and compare quotes.

Previously, if you wanted to receive a car insurance quote, you had to talk to an insurance agent and provide details about you and your vehicle. He would subsequently carry out a number of formalities and return to you with a quote after many days. Comparison shopping was a term that was typically uncommon. You had to visit many insurers to find the right policy for your needs. Now you don’t have to do it. Obtaining free insurance quotes online helps you save money and choose the most suitable policy.

How can you get free car insurance quotes online?

Given below are two principal techniques that you can follow to receive free auto insurance quotes from the Internet:
You can visit the websites of auto insurers and complete the online quote form with similar details
You can visit the website of a quote aggregator such as Cheapcarinsurance.com for collecting many quotes simultaneously

The first option would take more time and you wouldn’t always get the most affordable rate by visiting the website of an insurer. Using the second option is certainly more beneficial for you. You might be eligible for attractive discounts if you get quotes from an aggregator website.

Managing your information When you’re receiving quotes from different insurers, it might be hard to remember what you prefer about every insurer. You can prepare a basic spreadsheet and include names of the insurers you’re thinking about working with. You should subsequently make columns for comparing various elements such as:

1. The amount of collision or comprehensive coverage
2. Overall cost of the policy
3. Benefits and discounts
4. Additional coverage such as emergency roadside assistance. This would definitely help you find out the choicest auto insurer.

Why should you shop around for free auto insurance quotes?

1. Shopping for free car insurance quotes gives you the following benefits:
2. You can find out what a particular insurer is offering that others aren’t
3. The coverage and rates of various insurers can be compared
4. There are various outstanding discounts such as responsible driver or good student discounts from the reputed car insurers all over the country
5. You can save a lot of money

Auto insurance is an industry which is full of competition and every company is vying to get your business. Shopping around carefully for your quotes would help you get the right policy and save money.

Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series

The Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series based on the 2011MY version was announced back in June when the German tuner published just a sketched photo with their creation. We now have a pair of new photos with the Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series which could be described by the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' phrase, considering the dicrete body work versus the V8's serious output.

To be more exact, the Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series packs 507 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque @ 3,000 rpm which means the German super saloon can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 191 mph. As far as efficiency and emissions the Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series returns 26.2 mph in a combined cycle and has CO2 emissions of 252 grams per Km.

The Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and re-adjusted dampers to suit the new 20 inch size wheels wrapped in non-runflat tires.

The Alpina B5 BiTurbo BMW 5 Series is already available in the UK although pricing was not announced yet.

Alpina press release :

Following its worldwide launch at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, the keenly anticipated ALPINA counterpart of the new BMW 5-Seriessaloon is now available in the UK.

With it’s V8 engine producing 507HP and massive torque – 700 Nm at 3,000 rpm - this new super saloon is capable of 0-62 in only 4.7 secondsand 191 mph, yet the B5 conforms to ALPINA's enduring commitment to supplement gains in power and performance with similar advances in efficiency and reduced emissions. CO2 emissions are 252 g/km and combined fuel consumption 26.2 mpg; remarkable for a car of this size and performance.

ALPINA's 'trademark' blend of sporting character and limousine-like comfort has also developed with a new switchable eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s adjustable electronic dampers have been reconfigured for it’s combination of 20” wheels and non-runflat tyres.

John Quigley, Managing Director of ALPINA GB, describing the new ALPINA B5 as an unbeatable combination of luxury, exclusivity and performance says : “With the next generation BMW M5 yet to be announced,the B5 fills a significant market gap”.

He adds: “The fact that Goodwood was chosen for the world debut of the car demonstrates the importance ALPINA attach to the UK market”.

First deliveries of the B5 Bi-Turbo start later this year with availability through Sytner, UK concessionaires for ALPINA.

ALPINA GB, part of the Sytner Group, has been the sole UK importer for ALPINA since 1983. ALPINA has worked closely with BMW since 1961, with shared warranty coverage since 1964. ALPINA were registered as an automobile manufacturer to ISO standards in 1983.